Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd
Encyclopedia
Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd is purported to have been a 15th century Scotsman
, who lived in the north-west of Scotland. The Gaelic Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd translates into English
as "Fionnla the black, son of Gillechriosd". Fionnla Dubh is known from a late 17th century traditional account of Clan Macrae
; within that account he presented as a prominent ancestor of the clan
. The tradition relates that for a time the chief
of Clan Mackenzie
was absent, and during that time his bastard
uncles were causing trouble in the Mackenzies' territories of Kintail
and Kinlochewe
. Fionnla Dubh was then ordered to retrieve the chief and was successful in his task. From that time onward, says the tradition, the Macraes from the Kintail area rose in prominence amongst their Mackenzie lords. Tradition also states that Fionnla Dubh is an ancestor of the leading lines of the Macraes from Kintail.
, and Rev.
Alexander Macrae in the early 20th century, the main authority for the early history of Clan Macrae
is the late 17th century manuscript
account of the clan written by Rev. John Macrae. This John Macrae was the last Episcopalian
minister of Dingwall
; he died in 1704. Alexander Macrae stated that at the time his writing, the original copy of the manuscript was by then lost; however, he noted that there were several differing copies of it still in existence which contained certain additions over the years. Alexander Macrae largely based his history of the clan upon John Macrae's earlier account.
, and shared a common ancestry with the Mackenzies
and Macleans
. The Macraes were said to have originated from Clunes, which is located near the southern shore of the Beauly Firth
, and was within the lordship of Lovat. Alexander Macrae stated that these traditions likely refer to a period sometime in the middle of the 13th century. According to John Macrae, after a violent dispute arose between the Macraes and more powerful Frasers of Lovat, three sons of the Macrae chief
set off for new lands. One of the sons settled in Brahan, near Dingwall; another settled in Argyll
; and the other settled in Kintail
.
At that time Kintail was held by the Mackenzies, and according to John Macrae's account, there were very few Mackenzies of the chiefly line and thus the chief of that clan welcomed the Macraes because they shared a common descent and could be relied upon. Although John Macrae did not know the name of the Macrae brother who settled in Kintail, he stated that this Macrae brother married the daughter, or granddaughter, of Macbeolan who possessed a large part of Kintail before the Mackenzie's rise to power. Alexander Mackenzie considered this marriage to be the real reason for the loyalty given by the Macraes to their Mackenzie lords; he did not believe the Macraes and Mackenzies to share a common ancestry in the male line as John Macrae had claimed.
Alexander Macrae was of the opinion that these events probably took place sometime in the first half of the 14th century, before the Mackenzies became firmly established in the Kintail area. He stated that there didn't appear to be any evidence that the Macraes were in the Kintail area before the time of these events, but noted that it was said that Eilean Donan Castle was garrisoned by Macraes and Maclennans
in the late 13th century, during the period when the fortress was first taken into possession by Kenneth, founder of the Mackenzies of Kintail. The Macraes are known to have been constant supporters of the Mackenzies in recorded times; in 1520, and for many years onwards, they were constable
s of Eilean Donan Castle. In view of their constant service to the Mackenzies, the Macraes of Kintail became known as the Mackenzies' "shirt of mail
".
name Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd means "Fionnla the black, son of Gillechriosd". A modern Scottish Gaelic spelling of the name is Fionnlagh Dubh mac GilleChrìosd. There are numerous ways the name can be Anglicised, or rendered into English
; one such way is "Finlay the black, son of Christopher".
According to John Macrae, Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd was about two, or three, generations removed from the Macrae who settled in Kintail from Clunes. Alexander Macrae stated that Fionnla Dubh was a contemporary of Murdo Mackenzie, fifth chief of the Mackenzies of Kintail
. In 1416, Murdo died and was succeeded by his son, Alexander. Because Alexander was still a minor
, he was sent to school in Perth
, and in his absence, Eilean Donan Castle has held by its constable who was a Macaulay.
Historically in 1427, James I
visited Inverness
with the intention of establishing law and order within the chaotic northern realm
. The most powerful Highland
chiefs were summoned to parliament, and when they reached Inverness Castle
they were apprehended and imprisoned; several of the mightiest were condemned to death
and executed, others were eventually released. According to historian Alexander Mackenzie, the young Mackenzie chief, Alexander of Kintail, was one of those so-released, and was sent by the king to school far south in Perth (then known as Saint Johnstoun), which was at that time the location of the principal literary seminary
in the kingdom, and was frequently the seat of court
.
According to the traditions related by John Macrae, with the absence of the young chief, troubles arose in Kintail and Kinlochewe
through the misconduct of some the young chief's relatives—three bastard
uncles. Unwilling to leave his post at Eilean Donan Castle, Macaulay was anxious for the return of the Mackenzie chief, and so ordered Fionnla Dubh to go to Perth to bring him home. Fionnla Dubh successfully found and retrieved the chief, and as they made their way back to Kintail they detour
ed from a direct journey home and stayed with Macdougal of Lorn to avoid being pursued. When the young chief arrived in Kintail, the oppressing uncles were brought under subjection, and order was re-established in the area.
John Macrae, and Alexander Macrae (who based his clan history on John Macrae's account), followed the descent of the main line of the Macraes from Fionnla Dubh's eldest son Christopher. Alexander Macrae noted that no information was known about of Christopher himself. Alexander Macrae stated that Fionnla Dubh's younger son, John, was educated at Beauly Priory, and in time became the priest of Kintail in Sutherland
; he married and had a daughter named Margaret.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
, who lived in the north-west of Scotland. The Gaelic Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd translates into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "Fionnla the black, son of Gillechriosd". Fionnla Dubh is known from a late 17th century traditional account of Clan Macrae
Clan MacRae
The Clan Macrae is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan has no chief; it is therefore considered an Armigerous clan.-Surname:The surname Macrae is an Anglicisation of the patronymic from the Gaelic personal name Macraith. This personal name means "son of grace"...
; within that account he presented as a prominent ancestor of the clan
Scottish clan
Scottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
. The tradition relates that for a time the chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
of Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
was absent, and during that time his bastard
Legitimacy (law)
At common law, legitimacy is the status of a child who is born to parents who are legally married to one another; and of a child who is born shortly after the parents' divorce. In canon and in civil law, the offspring of putative marriages have been considered legitimate children...
uncles were causing trouble in the Mackenzies' territories of Kintail
Kintail
Kintail is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann...
and Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It is in the parish of Gairloch, the community of Torridon and Kinlochewe and the Highland Council area. It lies near the head of Loch Maree in its magnificent valley, and serves as a junction between the main Ullapool...
. Fionnla Dubh was then ordered to retrieve the chief and was successful in his task. From that time onward, says the tradition, the Macraes from the Kintail area rose in prominence amongst their Mackenzie lords. Tradition also states that Fionnla Dubh is an ancestor of the leading lines of the Macraes from Kintail.
Sources
According to the late 19th century historian Alexander MackenzieAlexander Mackenzie (historian)
Alexander Mackenzie, FSA Scot was a Scottish historian, author, magazine editor and politician. He was born on a croft, in Gairloch. In 1869 he settled in Inverness, where he later became an editor and publisher of the Celtic Magazine, and the Scottish Highlander. Mackenzie wrote numerous clan...
, and Rev.
The Reverend
The Reverend is a style most often used as a prefix to the names of Christian clergy and ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and church traditions. The Reverend is correctly called a style but is often and in some dictionaries called a...
Alexander Macrae in the early 20th century, the main authority for the early history of Clan Macrae
Clan MacRae
The Clan Macrae is a Highland Scottish clan. The clan has no chief; it is therefore considered an Armigerous clan.-Surname:The surname Macrae is an Anglicisation of the patronymic from the Gaelic personal name Macraith. This personal name means "son of grace"...
is the late 17th century manuscript
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
account of the clan written by Rev. John Macrae. This John Macrae was the last Episcopalian
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
minister of Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
; he died in 1704. Alexander Macrae stated that at the time his writing, the original copy of the manuscript was by then lost; however, he noted that there were several differing copies of it still in existence which contained certain additions over the years. Alexander Macrae largely based his history of the clan upon John Macrae's earlier account.
Background
According to tradition, the Macraes were originally from IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and shared a common ancestry with the Mackenzies
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
and Macleans
Clan MacLean
Clan Maclean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with...
. The Macraes were said to have originated from Clunes, which is located near the southern shore of the Beauly Firth
Beauly Firth
The Beauly Firth is a firth in northern Scotland. It is effectively a continuation of the Moray Firth westward, and is bounded at one end by Beauly and at the other by Inverness . The Kessock Ferry has crossed at the eastern end since the 15th Century...
, and was within the lordship of Lovat. Alexander Macrae stated that these traditions likely refer to a period sometime in the middle of the 13th century. According to John Macrae, after a violent dispute arose between the Macraes and more powerful Frasers of Lovat, three sons of the Macrae chief
Scottish clan chief
The Scottish Gaelic word clann means children. In early times, and possibly even today, clan members believed themselves to descend from a common ancestor, the founder of the Scottish clan. From its perceived founder a clan takes its name. The clan chief is the representative of this founder, and...
set off for new lands. One of the sons settled in Brahan, near Dingwall; another settled in Argyll
Argyll
Argyll , archaically Argyle , is a region of western Scotland corresponding with most of the part of ancient Dál Riata that was located on the island of Great Britain, and in a historical context can be used to mean the entire western coast between the Mull of Kintyre and Cape Wrath...
; and the other settled in Kintail
Kintail
Kintail is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Cluanie; its boundaries, other than Glen Shiel, are generally taken to be the valleys of Strath Croe and Gleann...
.
At that time Kintail was held by the Mackenzies, and according to John Macrae's account, there were very few Mackenzies of the chiefly line and thus the chief of that clan welcomed the Macraes because they shared a common descent and could be relied upon. Although John Macrae did not know the name of the Macrae brother who settled in Kintail, he stated that this Macrae brother married the daughter, or granddaughter, of Macbeolan who possessed a large part of Kintail before the Mackenzie's rise to power. Alexander Mackenzie considered this marriage to be the real reason for the loyalty given by the Macraes to their Mackenzie lords; he did not believe the Macraes and Mackenzies to share a common ancestry in the male line as John Macrae had claimed.
Alexander Macrae was of the opinion that these events probably took place sometime in the first half of the 14th century, before the Mackenzies became firmly established in the Kintail area. He stated that there didn't appear to be any evidence that the Macraes were in the Kintail area before the time of these events, but noted that it was said that Eilean Donan Castle was garrisoned by Macraes and Maclennans
Clan MacLennan
Clan MacLennan, also known as Siol Ghillinnein, is a Highland Scottish clan which historically populated lands in the north-west of Scotland. The surname MacLennan in Scottish Gaelic is Mac Gille Fhinnein meaning the son of the follower of St Finnan.-History:-Origins:According to tradition the...
in the late 13th century, during the period when the fortress was first taken into possession by Kenneth, founder of the Mackenzies of Kintail. The Macraes are known to have been constant supporters of the Mackenzies in recorded times; in 1520, and for many years onwards, they were constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
s of Eilean Donan Castle. In view of their constant service to the Mackenzies, the Macraes of Kintail became known as the Mackenzies' "shirt of mail
Chain Mail
"Chain Mail" is a single by Mancunian band James, released in March 1986 by Sire Records, the first after the band defected from Factory Records. The record was released in two different versions, as 7" single and 12" EP, with different artworks by John Carroll and, confusingly, under different...
".
Fionnla Dubh
The GaelicGoidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
name Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd means "Fionnla the black, son of Gillechriosd". A modern Scottish Gaelic spelling of the name is Fionnlagh Dubh mac GilleChrìosd. There are numerous ways the name can be Anglicised, or rendered into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
; one such way is "Finlay the black, son of Christopher".
According to John Macrae, Fionnla Dubh mac Gillechriosd was about two, or three, generations removed from the Macrae who settled in Kintail from Clunes. Alexander Macrae stated that Fionnla Dubh was a contemporary of Murdo Mackenzie, fifth chief of the Mackenzies of Kintail
Chiefs of Clan Mackenzie
The chiefs of the Scottish highland Clan Mackenzie were historically known as the Mackenzies of Kintail. By tradition the Mackenzie chiefs descend from Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st of Kintail however their earliest ancestor proven by contemporary evidence is Alexander Mackenzie, 6th of Kintail...
. In 1416, Murdo died and was succeeded by his son, Alexander. Because Alexander was still a minor
Minor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
, he was sent to school in Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
, and in his absence, Eilean Donan Castle has held by its constable who was a Macaulay.
James I of Scotland
James I, King of Scots , was the son of Robert III and Annabella Drummond. He was probably born in late July 1394 in Dunfermline as youngest of three sons...
visited Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
with the intention of establishing law and order within the chaotic northern realm
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
. The most powerful Highland
Scottish Highlands
The Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
chiefs were summoned to parliament, and when they reached Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle
Inverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a...
they were apprehended and imprisoned; several of the mightiest were condemned to death
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
and executed, others were eventually released. According to historian Alexander Mackenzie, the young Mackenzie chief, Alexander of Kintail, was one of those so-released, and was sent by the king to school far south in Perth (then known as Saint Johnstoun), which was at that time the location of the principal literary seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in the kingdom, and was frequently the seat of court
Royal court
Royal court, as distinguished from a court of law, may refer to:* The Royal Court , Timbaland's production company*Court , the household and entourage of a monarch or other ruler, the princely court...
.
According to the traditions related by John Macrae, with the absence of the young chief, troubles arose in Kintail and Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe
Kinlochewe is a village in Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. It is in the parish of Gairloch, the community of Torridon and Kinlochewe and the Highland Council area. It lies near the head of Loch Maree in its magnificent valley, and serves as a junction between the main Ullapool...
through the misconduct of some the young chief's relatives—three bastard
Legitimacy (law)
At common law, legitimacy is the status of a child who is born to parents who are legally married to one another; and of a child who is born shortly after the parents' divorce. In canon and in civil law, the offspring of putative marriages have been considered legitimate children...
uncles. Unwilling to leave his post at Eilean Donan Castle, Macaulay was anxious for the return of the Mackenzie chief, and so ordered Fionnla Dubh to go to Perth to bring him home. Fionnla Dubh successfully found and retrieved the chief, and as they made their way back to Kintail they detour
Detour
Detour may refer to:* Detour, a temporary routing to avoid an obstruction-Entertainment:Literature* Detour , a 1939 novel* Detour , an entertainment and fashion magazine published by the Detour Media GroupFilm and television...
ed from a direct journey home and stayed with Macdougal of Lorn to avoid being pursued. When the young chief arrived in Kintail, the oppressing uncles were brought under subjection, and order was re-established in the area.
John Macrae, and Alexander Macrae (who based his clan history on John Macrae's account), followed the descent of the main line of the Macraes from Fionnla Dubh's eldest son Christopher. Alexander Macrae noted that no information was known about of Christopher himself. Alexander Macrae stated that Fionnla Dubh's younger son, John, was educated at Beauly Priory, and in time became the priest of Kintail in Sutherland
Sutherland
Sutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
; he married and had a daughter named Margaret.